2-Man 3+ Season Tents

[larry_garcia68]

Hello - I have been doing some research over 2-man tents and have consolidated my list down to a few different options below. I know this is not always the best path but given budget, I am looking for a one tent quiver that could best handle all of the requirements listed below rather than buying multiple tents. Want to preface that I am aware there are other posts out there comparing and contrasting different 2-man tents. I just wanted to aggregate the thoughts I have been having over recent weeks related to the specific tents below and figured I might as well post them to Rokslide on the chance there are some gear junkies that would like to weigh in. Also, this could be helpful to others in a similar boat as I feel like these are the best options for a do it all hunting/ backpacking tent. So, if you care to chime in, let me know what you would go with, which tents I'm on or off the track on, and/ or any key specs that I should be considering in addition to what's noted below.

For some added context, I currently have a Seek Outside Guardian that I am planning to sell. Problems with this tent I have found is it's not very strong in high winds, I hate the zipper system (have to lean way over to open and gets anything in vestibules wet when I open it in the morning), tough to setup in loose dirt/ rocks, not much headspace when using with nest, fair amount of slack in tent once set up which causes it to be extra noisy in the wind.

Uses/ Requirements:
-Above tree line backpacking in CO - intense winds/ rain, can't have a huge footprint, lightweight
-Occasional camping along rivers which would probably lend itself better to freestanding
-Likely relocating to NZ for a year in the near future which adds additional emphasis on rain/ wind durability
-Would like to be able to take to AK for future hunts (thinking early season SE deer hunts and summer Brooks Range)
-Occasional late season camping in lower 48 where hot tent could be nice. However, the more I hear from friends that have stoves it seems like a chore to keep stoking the fire throughout the night and a zero-degree bag may be the better alternative
-I am 27 and not too concerned about weight but with all the other gear I am packing in I would like to keep it sub 80 ounces
-3+ season rating

Kuiu Mountainstar 2
-Packed weight: 58 ounces
-Inner tent area: 29.5 sq ft
-Price: $454
-Seasons: 3+
-Other: Very good deal, consistently gets fantastic reviews by everyone. Slightly heavier than some of the following options but it has a track record of being bombproof. Main question would be - do you trust this tent in AK/ NZ?

Seek Outside Silvertip 2.0
-Packed weight: 48 ounces
-Inner tent area: 63 sq ft (tipi design so not super comparable to other tents - definitely bigger though)
-Price: $560
-Seasons: 3+
-Other: I know this option doesn't fit the mold the other tents do, but I just really want to like it. Would not work as well on loose ground, but tipi design so it should withstand heavy wind/ rain. Tons of space and has option to use stove if I ever decide I would like to. Also, the new floor system in the 2.0 models seems like a huge value add.

Tarptent Arcdome 2 Ultra
-Packed weight: 57 ounces
-Inner tent area: 32 sq ft
-Price: $630
-Seasons: 4
-Other: Seems like a very solid tent, but once I start approaching this weight and price does it make more sense to spend the incremental more and put myself in a tried-and-true Hilleberg. Also, I am questionable on whether I truly need the 4-season durability.

Stone Glacier Skyscraper 2
-Packed weight: 81 ounces
-Inner tent area: 32 sq ft
-Price: $645
-Seasons: 4
-Other: Exact same comment as the Tarptent Ultra above. Also, significantly heavier.

Tarptent Double Rainbow Ultra
-Packed weight: 39.5 ounces
-Inner tent area: 30.5 sq ft
-Price: $520
-Seasons: 3+
-Other: Lightweight and rated for 3+ seasons which is great, but this tent is semi-freestanding unless you add 2 trekking poles to it. I like this idea for especially windy nights in the high country, but the times I would be need this feature when camping along the riverbank in sandy/ rocky ground I won't have trekking poles with me.

Hilleberg Niak 2
-Packed weight: 67 ounces
-Inner tent area: 28 sq ft
-Price: $990
-Seasons: 3
-Other: Only rated for 3 seasons but find it hard to believe this wouldn't out handle all other tents with regards to durability. Drawback is single vestibule and price.

Hilleberg Anjan 2
-Packed weight: 63 ounces
-Inner tent area: 28 sq ft
-Price: $895
-Seasons: 3
-Other: Only rated for 3 seasons but find it hard to believe this wouldn't out handle all other tents with regards to durability. Drawback is single vestibule and price.

Durston X-Dome 2P
-Packed weight: 47 ounces
-Inner tent area: 32 sq ft
-Price: $470
-Seasons: 3+
-Other: Just released so slightly hesitant being the guinea pig on a brand-new design. Put at the bottom because there are a hundred different threads on this tent already and I don't want it to overshadow my post.

 

[Mtndawger]

Possibly the Nemo Kunai 3-4 season @ 69 oz and 26 sf or the Kodiak 4 season same same. Downside is only one door/vestibule for either. I’ve owned a Nemo 4 man expedition tent for 12 years. They have replaced both zippers for free this spring. ( sand is hard on zippers). Bombproof tent.

 

[ianpadron]

Kuiu gets the nod from me. Love mine and won't ever sell it, just a well thought out tent that performs way better than it should in all conditions. In a stable of near double digit shelters, it sees the most use by a fairly wide margin. I haven't hunted AK or NZ, but WA state's Cascade Range and NW Montana can produce some shitty weather I can't imagine is surpassed anywhere on Earth that's still permanently inhabited lol, and it's done great.

The Durston looks promising, but I've learned to let the kinks work themselves out on the first batches, let Dan dial them in further, then jump in and buy one.

 

[badkneesbro]

Too many YouTube videos of Durstons snappy, crunchy carbon fiber poles for me. I just bought a slingfin portal 2 that I would check out if I were you. I haven’t had a chance to try it out yet but it’s pretty highly rated by some of the top gear pro’s. I chose it over some of the same tents you’re considering.

 

[199p]

what location in nz are you going to be based at bro?

 

[FranklinBluth]

Took advantage of the Mountain Star sale price last year - have camped all over AK with it in the last year. So far so good!

 

[Beendare]

I like a 12' diameter tipi for what you are doing.....mine was home made for much cheaper than your budget. Room to spread out.

I have the Tarptent double rainbow and it is an awesome tent. I'm a big guy and it's perfect for one. Any of these 2 man tents that are only 5feet to 6 feet wide will be tight for two, maybe for my wife and I its OK- too tight for two on a hunt, IMO.

 

[Cannonball]

I sold my Cimmaron to buy a X-Dome 2 solid, but dont plan on going above the treeline. Its not going to ship until next month so I dont have any real world experience, but I dont think I would choose it for your application.

 

[larry_garcia68]

Kuiu gets the nod from me. Love mine and won't ever sell it, just a well thought out tent that performs way better than it should in all conditions. In a stable of near double digit shelters, it sees the most use by a fairly wide margin. I haven't hunted AK or NZ, but WA state's Cascade Range and NW Montana can produce some shitty weather I can't imagine is surpassed anywhere on Earth that's still permanently inhabited lol, and it's done great.

The Durston looks promising, but I've learned to let the kinks work themselves out on the first batches, let Dan dial them in further, then jump in and buy one.

Man, this is where my head seems to be heading. On paper the Durston may have a slight upper hand, but I lean more towards the proven track record on the Mountainstar. Then, that leaves me with the decision of do I spend the incremental more to get myself into a Hilleberg or 4-season rated tent. Just a tough one to answer for myself never having experience harsh AK weather.

 

[larry_garcia68]

I sold my Cimmaron to buy a X-Dome 2 solid, but dont plan on going above the treeline. Its not going to ship until next month so I dont have any real world experience, but I dont think I would choose it for your application.

What were your key reasons for selling the Cimmaron, outside of it having a huge footprint? Curious how it stood up in storms, how often you used the stove, whether you used the liner or not.

 

[larry_garcia68]

what location in nz are you going to be based at bro?

Christchurch is the plan. Still a year out (looking at June 2026), but the idea is that this tent is with me throughout that entire time frame. Where are you located?

 

[ianpadron]

Man, this is where my head seems to be heading. On paper the Durston may have a slight upper hand, but I lean more towards the proven track record on the Mountainstar. Then, that leaves me with the decision of do I spend the incremental more to get myself into a Hilleberg or 4-season rated tent. Just a tough one to answer for myself never having experience harsh AK weather.

I'd get the Storm Star if you're concerned about max durability even though I think the mountainstar is enough tent for 99% of conditions guys find themselves in. I've got a stormstar as well, it's legit.

Hillebergs are heavy and known to have serious condensation issues. Might be a tad warmer in extreme conditions, but I hunt where I have access to wood to burn in a tipi/stove come late season

 

[Cannonball]

What were your key reasons for selling the Cimmaron, outside of it having a huge footprint? Curious how it stood up in storms, how often you used the stove, whether you used the liner or not.

I originally purchased for non-res CO OTC elk, but didnt go (and now its all draw) so i wasnt sure how much use id ever get out of it. I didnt draw a tag in state (AZ) last year so I only used it for summer camping at 7000' in the pines and found it was hot and buggy (no liner). Never used the stove. So in my mind the Durston was quite a bit lighter, would get used more, and probably still enough tent for AZ winters.

One question I did have on your post is if you are looking at solo with occasional 2-man trips, or full time 2 person use.

 

[madcalfe]

Don't overlook the MSR hubba hubba.
I've been using one since 2018 with no complaints.
I use it every year in northern British Columbia for my August sheep hunts and September goat hunts

 

[larry_garcia68]

I like a 12' diameter tipi for what you are doing.....mine was home made for much cheaper than your budget. Room to spread out.

I have the Tarptent double rainbow and it is an awesome tent. I'm a big guy and it's perfect for one. Any of these 2 man tents that are only 5feet to 6 feet wide will be tight for two, maybe for my wife and I its OK- too tight for two on a hunt, IMO.

Yeah I think the idea is the tent will be just me on hunting trips and only doubling up with either girlfriend or a buddy on pure backpacking trips.

I really want to make the tipi work but that guardian put a bad taste in my mouth with regards to non-freestanding tents. So I am slightly gun-shy making something like that my one tent quiver

 

[ElkArcher918]

Trying to find one shelter that'll work from early season elk through late rifle is a tall order. It's about balancing/compromising for weight, footprint size, durability, price, interior space, backpacking/base camping. I've tried or currently use different types of shelters (free standing 2P and 4p tents, floorless shelters w/wo nests/stove, compact canvas tents for basecamp late season hunting, etc).. For most of your needs and versatility, you can't argue against a good lightweight 2P free standing tent. Once you get into late season those Hilleberg tents are bombproof but heavier. Floorless shelters with stove for late season are nice but alot of work to keep them going and you gotta pack all that on your back. Late season base camping multiple days I go with a nice compact canvas tent to do day trips.

I think you need to continue to experiment/try different shelter systems until you determine what works for you. I venture to guess in the long haul you'll end up with at least to 2 shelter options that'll cover all your bases.

 

[199p]

Christchurch is the plan. Still a year out (looking at June 2026), but the idea is that this tent is with me throughout that entire time frame. Where are you located?

Nice bro, heaps of public land critters to hunt from chch, I am in the lower north island brother.